Year End Note & Author Note for Chapter 41

Year-End Note from Hiro & Meia

"We'd like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for your continued support to Fists and Lipsticks! This hard work won't be possible without readers like you who never ceased to give us the boost and the moral support to continue writing this story. Intricate planning, late night dates with Mr. Laptop to finish a chapter, tedious grammar, spelling, and inconsistency checks... they wouldn't be worth it without YOU. So again, thanks!"

From Meia:
Hi guys! Thanks for the support to F&L! 2009 is going to be so great! God bless and merry merry holidays! Kisses!

A short Author Note regarding Chapter 41

I don't want an overall depressing chapter, so yeah, best time for Saori and her 'weirdness' to come in. This brings us to another question - Why is Saori damn weird? First, she acts like a euphoric drunkard with some sort of champagne/bottle fetish. She sometimes act like a kindergarten, but then there are times where she kicks some ass. She even went as far as taking a bullet for Kosuke. She's in great pain considering her bullet wound on her left flank, yet in front of Kosuke, she acted so happy-go-luckily and cheerful. She told Kosuke that she saved his life, but she didn't tell him that she was seriously wounded in the process of doing so. With this, I'd like you to notice her peculiar actions not just in this chapter but also in the previous chapters. Who knows, you might just catch my little clues, hehe.

As for Ayane and Crosse, I'm actually glad that someone has noticed it (great job, Miss Jasmine). My plan is to actually make Ayane and Crosse communicate without using words. They conversed with each of their own reminiscences to their childhood, which they simultaneously recalled with the similar 'haircut incident'.

If you would imagine what was going on inside his mind during that time he was cutting Ayane's hair and recalling their good times together, even without words you will be able to understand fully why he cried in the end of the chapter.

And as you may have realized by now, yes, the Crosse Overload chapters would be composed of several reminiscence of their childhood and teenage years BEFORE they met again in Book 1. It's going to be one hell of a dramatic ride.

And remember when someone asked whether Ayane's going to have two wedding proposals? And I said 'Why not three?'. This is what I'm pertaining to. The truth is that long before Yoshifumi Rei proposed to Ayane, someone has already asked her the same question in the past. That makes Kosuke the 3rd wedding 'proposer'. The very first one is... Crosse Williams .

I'm actually happy with how this chapter turned out compared to the older version (before my laptop fell from the staircase and the motherboard just flew straight away to the puddle of mud). The old title was actually 'Silent Reminiscences', but then the new inspiration came from the fact that we have lots of champagne bottles right now at my aunt's home (which would be given away for New Years Eve). Yeah, the den looks like a bottle museum IMO, hehe.


F&L in 2009

One thing I can guarantee is that F&L2 WILL BE ENDED in 2009. We're half-way done already and with this, I'm now ready to drop the BIG plot twists in the next few chapters. As usual, expect constant updates (you know how much I dislike long update intervals. Works good for both the author and the readers to keep readability, I believe). Long intervals are a no-no for mystery genre fics, hence the fast updates.

The PM list will NEVER be taken down - it is 'public service' according to Meia, hehe. It keeps the readers updated of new chapters without giving the readers the hassle of clicking on our thread every single day expecting a chapter when there's actually none. Same old and simple rule apply for the PM list : You ask, you're in. You ask, you're out. See the index page for the note made by Meia.

Also, after numerous requests, I'm coming up with a .DOC version of F&L2 from Chapter 1 - 40 pretty soon. I'll do another round of massive revisions (grammar, spelling, and inconsistency check) for the uploaded chapters so far.

For the inquiries regarding translating F&L to Korean and Vietnamese, at this point in time, I would have to deny these requests because F&L is not finished yet. Thank you for the offers and for the understanding. Regarding the Chinese/Mandarin version, I MAY come up with one myself AFTER I finish the English version.

Again, regarding questions about my nationality. Yes, I'm a FILIPINO. Pinoy ako, pero kalahati lang. (I'm Filipino but I'm a half-breed). My mother's pure Chinese.


Future projects

I am actually starting to make the skeleton for a new fic I'm planning to write January of 2009. However, since it would be set in America and the characters would have English names instead of Japanese/Korean, I still have to decide whether I'll be putting it up in Soompi or not. Definitely it would be up in Fictionpress.com, though. Target release date is May 2009.

As I've mentioned in my blog, it's actually another mystery story, but with a supernatural twist. The protagonist is a female who one day discovers her 'unusual' ability. What is that ability? I'll keep it a secret for now, but I guarantee you that it's something new and, as far as I know, has never been done before. And no, it's NOT a vampire fic. I'm very excited about writing it. It's going to be cool (and I hope you'll find it cool too).

AGAIN, THANKS FOR THE GREAT 2008! THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT, READERS BOTH SIGNED AND SILENT. THANKS FOR THE COUNTLESS EMAILS, REPLIES, AND MORAL SUPPORT.

-Mark (a.k.a. hiro0911/HiroLovesMeia)

Welcoming 2009 with a NEW fiction project

Since Fists and Lipsticks 2 is already half-way to ~fin, I think that this is the best time to start writing a brand new story. For sure I would be posting it in Fictionpress, but for Soompi Forums, I have yet to think about it. The setting would be in the United States this time with characters having English names instead of Japanese.

I'm still in the process of choosing the best title for it (I don't want the title to be similar to any movie or book currently existing). Last week, I've started constructing the skeleton of the plot and scribbling possible issues, conflicts, and scenes. I'm actually very excited about writing it.

It would be another mystery fic, but adding a supernatural twist this time. Nope, not a vampire fic but it would definitely be something different... and interesting.

For a sneak peak, the protagonist would be a female who one day discovers her 'unusual ability'. What is this unusual ability?

Well, that's a secret for now.

I wouldn't be posting in anytime soon, but after I finish around 25 to 30 chapters and after I outline the plot with satisfying details, I will be posting it . Target release would be May 2009.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

F&L Author Note for Chapter 37-40

This has been copy-pasted from Soompi Forums for the Fictionpress readers to view.

I actually promised a review reply for chapter 37-40. After reading the comments you've left and after giving it much thought, I think it would be best if I leave some of the questions unanswered for them to be unraveled soon in the plot. That way, I think I could maximize the suspense factor, hehe.

But I'd like to answer some questions you have that needed clarifications:

Who is Kaoru Hiro again?

Kaoru Hiro is Saori's older brother. He's the chief/boss of the Tokyo police investigating team. Recall him from Chapter 4: Good-For-Nothing

The man slammed an ID on top of his desk, glaring at Saori with a disappointed expression. Pointing his finger towards the female investigator, the man said, “You squeezed yourself into a case that isn’t yours, made a counterfeit ID saying false information and rank, and presented such irresponsible, tentative, and unproven ‘kitchen fire’ theory for the media to feast on! Now tell me, Junior Newbie Kaoru Saori… TELL ME WHY I SHOULDN’T FIRE YOU?”

“But…”

“Why shouldn’t I fire you?!”

“You can’t fire me because I’m your baby sister, huhuhu…” Saori frowned, faking a sob resembling that of a little girl whose ice cream has accidentally spilled on the floor.

“AISSSSH!” the man said, thumping his skull onto his desk. As he lifted his head to face Kosuke once again, he heaved a sigh and said, “I apologize for my sister’s… foolishness. I’ll send for a new investigating team right away, Attorney Yamazaki.”

“And make sure you clean this mess with the media,” Kosuke said.

Then, his eyes fell upon Saori, whom he caught making faces while he was not looking. Saori immediately looked towards the other direction when she noticed that Kosuke was now glaring at her.

“Yes, yes, very well…” the man answered.

“Till we meet again then, Senior Investigator Kaoru Hiro-san…”

also in Chapter 17: Cookies

“ONII-CHANNNNN!!”

“AISHHH! Get off me!”

The pestered Senior Investigator Kaoru Hiro pushed back Saori, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, flung herself onto his aching back, and clasped her arms tightly around his neck. For a moment, he felt as if he was trampled down by either an Amazon or a gigantic leech, her exasperating 'clinginess' aggravating his already-stressful state. Before him were piles of documents, most of them unsorted and misfiled. The three telephones on his desk have been ringing almost every thirty seconds and e-mails have been arriving non-stop since the time he arrived in his work place, and so he pulled out all networking cables going to and from his office. The cappuccino on his table brought earlier by his secretary has become cold and the cookies that came along with it have not been touched either.

Frowning, Saori released her older brother’s nearly-choked neck.

“Psh. Couldn’t you act a little bit sweeter to your little sister even for once? Huhuhu…”

“Sweeter?!” Hiro groaned, holding his strained back in pain. “And couldn’t you treat your older brother like a human being? Saori-chan, I’m not an elephant! My goodness… Aghhh… I think you broke my spine…”

“OH! Does it still hurt?!” she shrieked, attempting to reach for Hiro’s shoulder.

“DON’T TOUCH!”

“Okaaay! Fine!” Saori said, putting both her arms up.

For emphasis' sake, I'd like to quote another important appearance of Kaoru Hiro that you might have forgotten.

From Chapter 18: Costumes

Instead of listening to the report from one of his men on the other line, Kosuke snapped his mobile phone close and stared blankly at the ceiling of his bedroom, studded with glow-in-the-dark stars.

After a few seconds though, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

Senior Inspector Kaoru speaking…

Can I help you, Attorney Yamazaki?

“Kaoru-san, I need you to find someone for me…”

Hiro rubbed his eyes as he pulled himself up to sit on his bed, “The person must be someone important, eh? It’s 1:30 in the morning…”

“Very important indeed,” Kosuke answered. “I need you to find a woman named ‘Lily Akiyama’. Acquire all information you can find…”

“Find her ASAP…”

“…dead or alive.”

Ah, this is what I don't like from long update intervals, especially for a mystery story. I think it's my bad making Kaoru Hiro's appearance rather too subtle. But surely for the next chapters he'll be more active in the scene.


Why is the title of Spectra Boss/Grand Lord being passed around too much? It's rather confusing now who really is the boss of the rival gang?

For the mean time, I'll outline the given facts:
1) Yamazaki Daisuke is the Spectra Godfather/Big Boss.
2) But under him, there are also other 'bosses'. Hmm, think of a company. There's a CEO, then there are the presidents from different countries, then managers, then supervisors. Don't worry though, for I allotted a chapter to explain this gang hierarchy. As much as possible, I avoided discussing these 'gang rules' too prematurely in the story because it would drag the plot.
3) Having said that, think of Dmitri as the boss of the Spectra for Japan. It used to be Kosuke, but remember he got 'kicked out' because he's 'slacking off' during those romance chapters with Ayane, remember?
4) But those Spectra guys in Chapter 40 called Crosse the 'Grand Lord' instead of Dmitri

Well, for #4, we have to read on to find out what, why, and how it happened, hehe.


What are the three items Rei found sprawled on the floor when Crosse escaped with Ayane?

If you read Chapter 39 carefully, you'll find out what these three VERY IMPORTANT items were. Some people have figured it out correctly. Scan through the reviews.

Yes, that's it.

Big mess for the Silver Crescent?

And there's the other problem with the stolen data from the Spider Web.

Well, the bad stuff merely started.


Will Ayane really wake up like a zombie? With all her emotions erased, including her love for Kosuke?

Chapter 41 onwards would be one hell of a ride. There would be a lot of twists in the story so stay alert for clues. I advice re-reading some chapters where I've dropped these subtle but vital clues.

Regarding the question above, let's say... we've gotten enough of cliches -#-wink-#-


What would Chapter 41 and beyond be about?

To answer this question: if Chapter 21-30 is the so-called 'Ayane-Kosuke Romance Overload', then I'd say Chapter 41-50 is the 'Crosse Williams Overload'.

Ah, pat my head for spoiling you, Crosse fans.

Aside from this, prepare for a dose of twists and revelations. As I've said, it's about time for us to go deeper into the plot.

Expect some comebacks from old characters from F&L too. I know you've been missing Tomo, Akio, Hidemi, and Yuken too. Yes, they're coming in for some action, especially now that Kosuke needs them the most.

And with the common question to who Kaoru Saori is, we'll get to know more about her in the next chapters.


To the readers, I know I've said this a million times but really geez... thanks, hehe. The Soompi community is really... wow, I couldn't describe how nice and accommodating you guys have been, especially for a newcomer like me. I've only been here for merely a year, but the support you've been showering F&L is really EXPLOSIVE. Drives me to work harder and harder to meet your reading satisfaction.

Will update New Years Eve.

Thanks again and Seasons Greetings to all!

-The Author


P.S. Before I forget, thanks by the way to those who cast their votes for F&L in that story of the year contest here in Soompi. For a mere newcomer to be nominated alongside the pioneer authors here is already a big honor. Meia said that a great fraction of those who placed their votes are actually silent readers, so thanks if ever you read this.